Structured Interview

[slipperytrack]

I have my structured interview next week as part of my second stage of assessments with Northern. Providing I pass the DTG reactions test of course.

I was just wondering what level of detail do they expect on the questions form for the CBI. Five minutes per question does not seem long to go into chapter and verse.

 

[GB]

CBI usually lasts at least 45 minutes so that's nearly 10 minutes per question. Might not sound a lot but when your in there its more that enough.

 

[slipperytrack]

Thanks for the reply GB, it was more the level of detail they expect on the form you fill in I was after.

 

[GB]

From what I remember they grill you quite a lot with a lot of follow up questions.

 

[Silv1983]

I have my structured interview next week as part of my second stage of assessments with Northern. Providing I pass the DTG reactions test of course.

I was just wondering what level of detail do they expect on the questions form for the CBI. Five minutes per question does not seem long to go into chapter and verse.

I tried to give a "comprehensive paragraph" on each question - and ended up with writers' cramp and handwriting like a child. The interviewer only really glanced at the context and then asked her own questions to get a full explanation of each scenario. I know one candidate next to me who is also now a driver put a couple of bullet points to highlight key facts; and in hindsight I probably would have done the same.

 

[slipperytrack]

Thanks Silv. I'm quite relieved they don't want an essay.

 

[tone]

Thanks for the reply GB, it was more the level of detail they expect on the form you fill in I was after.

The form itself does not require much detail. From what I remember you merely need to outline the event without going into the specifics. Just a couple of sentences about what the situation was, and then an overview of what action you took.

eg

"A flash fire broke out in a neighbour's house caused by a gas cooker. I told a bystander to call the emergency services before attempting to locate the shut off valve outside the house and calling on all the neighbours doors and telling them to move to a safe area. When the emergency services arrived I told them what action I had taken."

(not a real incident - I just made that up but it's about as much detail as would be required)

The detail comes in the interview itself. The important part is to read the question carefully and ensure you don't start writing things that have not been asked for. Also, I don't believe you are assessed on hand writing per se, but if the assessor can't read it then you've got problems, so take your time.

Have fun!

 

[Beveridges]

The Structured Interview is the hardest part and is worth nearly all the criteria that must be "box ticked" at the assess centre

People often ask me for advice but I'm not giving it anymore, as for one, it was over 5 years ago when I did mine, so it is not my area anymore.

 

[Dave1987]

From what I remember the booklet didnt have very much space to write your examples in. Literally enough to provide the basic facts. But then they ask you to elaborate on those examples and go into considerable detail. I guess they have been trained in how to interpret body language as to whether someone is fibbing or over elaborating.

 

[slipperytrack]

Beveridges, I for one have found your posts very helpful in the past. I still have a few hurdles to overcome before hopefully I get a job in the rail industry, but I doubt i'd have got this far without reading some of your past posts.

Thanks to all for your replies.

 

[tinstaafl]

Beveridges, I for one have found your posts very helpful in the past. I still have a few hurdles to overcome before hopefully I get a job in the rail industry, but I doubt i'd have got this far without reading some of your past posts.

Thanks to all for your replies.

Slipperytrack, where was your interview?